Guitar and Other Strings Series This VCU series presents folk, bluegrass and blues songs by Among Friends at 8 p.m. in the Vlahcevic Concert Hall, VCU Performing Arts Center. 922 Park Ave. $10. 828-1166.

Hot and Heavy in July Nine local and regional hard-rock bands try to rock the roof off the Innsbrook Pavilion during the next three Fridays. This week: Swollen, Pierced, Nancy, Superboot. Gates open at 6:30. Admission: $5. innsbrookafterhours.com.

Saturday 13

events

Contra Dance The Traditional American Dance and Music Society presents an evening of dance with music by Toad Mamas from 8-11 p.m. at the Lewis Ginter Recreation Center. Free beginners workshop at 7 p.m. 3421 Hawthorne Ave. $7 for dance. 748-6602.

Richmond Speed The city's arena football team takes on Greensboro's Prowlers at 7 p.m. at the Richmond Coliseum. 601 E. Leigh St. $6-$40. 780-2352.

Big Gig The gala opening concert of this series features a performance by Jeffrey Osborne at 7 p.m. on Brown's Island. Free. 643-2826.

Latin Festival Enjoy music from Timbason, JCJ Band, Cuba's Bamboleo and the Salvadorian band La Miél, along with other activities, from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. at the 17th Street Farmers' Market. 100 N. 17th St. 646-0477.

Barefoot Puppets "Dreamtime: Tales from Down Under" features Aboriginal folktales during this puppet show at 10 a.m. at Richmond Public Library. 1400 Hull St. Same show at 2 p.m. at Belmont Library. 3100 Elwood Ave. Both free. 646-8699.

Big Gig At noon, the Burnt Taters perform at the James Center. 901 E. Cary St. Free. At 12:05 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., catch the "Centenary Classics" concerts with Allen Bean at Centenary United Methodist Church. 411 E. Grace St. Free. At 12:30 p.m., Debo Dabney & The Happy Band perform at the City Hall Observation Deck. 900 E. Broad St. Free. At 7 p.m., choose from a "Kids' Night Out" with The RJS Make Music With Me Band at Maymont Park or a "Neighborhood Concert" with The Shanniece James Project at Battery Park. Both free. 643-2826 or downtownpresents.org.

stage

Barefoot Puppets "Dreamtime: Tales from Down Under" features Aboriginal folktales during this puppet show at 10 a.m. at Richmond Public Library's Ginter Park Location. 1200 Westbrook Ave. Same show at 2 p.m. at North Avenue Library. 2901 N. Ave. Both free. 646-6675.

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